ABOUTTOUCHSTONE

Touchstone is located in Farmington, Pennsylvania, amid the natural splendor of the Laurel Highlands. Founded in 1972 as the Pioneer Crafts Council, Touchstone’s original mission was to foster interest in the preservation of the traditional craft forms and culture of the Appalachian region. Today, the craft school has expanded to include a wide variety of traditional and emerging craft forms, including blacksmithing, ceramics, metals, jewelry, textiles, glass, painting, drawing, photography, and printmaking. In addition to offering seasonal craft courses taught by nationally renowned artisans, Touchstone provides underserved audiences in the region, from senior citizens to public school students, with craft-centered educational programming. Touchstone’s artistic, educational, and residential facilities sit on 150 acres of lush woodlands and pristine wilderness. The campus is covered with towering trees, unique rock formations, and wildflower meadows, and is crossed by McIntire Run, a rushing stream. Not only is Touchstone Center for Crafts the only residential craft school in Pennsylvania, it’s the natural setting for your creative nature.

"Touchstone’s mission is to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression."

To realize this mission, the school offers workshops, exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and other forms of artistic and educational programming throughout the year. Dedicated to achieving national prominence and local relevance, Touchstone strives for national distinction by recruiting some of the best artists in the country to teach high-quality craft workshops that attract a geographically diverse audience. The organization strives for local relevance by providing educational and outreach programming that serves a wide variety of the underserved populations in Fayette County and other parts of southwestern Pennsylvania.